Protective Under-Clothing Apparatus, System and Method

ABSTRACT

A customizable, scalable, armor-enhanced under-clothing system is provided that conforms more substantially to the user&#39;s body, providing better ballistic protection over every critical body area in different stages as selected by the user. In one embodiment, the present invention employs compression fabric as a base material in the top (e.g., shirt) and bottom (e.g., shorts) system elements, and further can include a static fabric material harness in the top system element. Anti-ballistic panels of suitable material and thickness can be inserted into the static fabric material harness element designed to carry the panels while preventing any undesirable bouncing effect.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to armor-enhanced under-clothing, and more particularly to armor-enhanced under-clothing that is comfortable, easy to customize and ergonomically superior over prior devices.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Military and law enforcement personnel have employed armor-enhanced under-clothing in order to protect their bodies from gunfire, shrapnel, explosive devices and other harmful ballistic objects. Even when such under-clothing is sized according to individual specifications (for example, small, medium and large), the armor-enhanced under-clothing does not generally fit well, gets bunched up, prohibits smooth movement, results in undesirable gaps between body and under-clothing, has limited contact points with the body, and even hinders the withdrawal of firearms. Such disadvantages often result in poor performance and can encourage mis-use or even non-use of these protective devices.

The present invention overcomes the current shortcomings and more. The present invention provides a customizable, scalable, armor-enhanced under-clothing system that conforms more substantially to the user's body, providing better protection over every critical body area in different stages as selected by the user. In this way, the user can employ as much or as little of the system of the present invention as desired or needed for a given anticipated threat level, incorporating suitable armor to protect the wearer against anything from light ballistics (e.g., sand) all the way up to the heaviest ballistic weaponry and fragments that might be encountered. The present invention employs compression fabric as a base material in the top (e.g., shirt) and bottom (e.g., shorts) system elements, and further can include a static fabric material harness in the top system element. The material can be provided in different forms depending upon desired characteristics (e.g., wicking, fire resistance, temperature management, anti-microbial, etc.). Anti-ballistic panels of suitable material and thickness can be inserted into the static fabric material harness designed to carry the panels while preventing any undesirable bouncing effect. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom elements are adapted to be secured to one another using hook-and-loop fasteners or similar fasteners to facilitate comfort, intended purpose and overall fit. The present invention also provides full body contact as opposed to selected point contact associated with prior devices. The present invention can be provided in sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, shorts and pants, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and back views of one embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention, with the top element being inverted so as to show the interior surface thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show front and back views of one embodiment of a bottom element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a bottom element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a bottom element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a bottom element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a bottom element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show front and back views of an alternative embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show front and back views of one embodiment of a top element as provided by the system of the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows front and back views of a top element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows front and back views of an inverted top element in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic left-side view diagrams illustrating one embodiment of the chest portion and first pocket bag in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 26 illustrate different embodiments of the present invention. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the front side 14 of one embodiment of a top element 12 of the system of the present invention includes a suitably-sized interior pocket 16 within a base material 17 for receiving a suitably-sized front torso ballistic panel 18. In this embodiment, the base material 17 comprises a compression fabric designed to snugly fit the wearer with 100% body contact. As such, the base material 17 provides a material with high tenacity stretch which provides muscles with a firm compression fit that lessons vibrations, reduces fatigue, and keeps muscles energized. The fabric can be formed in a knit construction, for example, using a series of gradient fibers with an open knit inner surface to create a moisture transfer environment.

The arm elements 20 also include respective suitably-sized interior pockets 22 for receiving respective suitably-sized forearm ballistic panels 24. The pockets 16, 22 generally include an opening through with panels can be inserted and removed. This facilitates customization of the anti-ballistic properties of the present invention, as heavier and thicker panels may be needed for some engagements, while lighter and thinner panels may be needed for other engagements. In another embodiment of the present invention, the pockets 16, 22 are constructed with panels retained therein, and then sealed so that the panels remain permanently part of the top element. The pockets can comprise a variety of materials, including compression fabric, or alternatively a static fabric material retaining greater strength and resisting movement more than compression fabric.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the back side 15 of the top element 12 includes a suitably-sized interior pocket 26 for receiving a suitably-sized back torso ballistic panel 28. As FIGS. 1 and 2 show the interior surface 13 of the top element, it will be appreciated that the pockets 16, 22 and 26 are on the interior and are not generally accessible from the exterior of the top element, which assists in the concealability and comfort of the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of the present invention in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top element can include epaulets 30 over the shoulder area, wherein the epaulets 30 are formed with an interior surface that forms a channel through which strap members 32 and clip members 34 can extend. The strap 32 and clip 34 members can be used to retain additional panels 36 within or over the surface of the base material 17.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show additional front 14 and back 15 sides of a top element 12 of the system of the present invention, similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, with like numbers representing like elements therein. FIGS. 5 and 6 further show custom-sized interior hip-side pockets 40 within the base material for receiving a custom-sized side ballistic panel 42. Such panels 42 protect the user's side and hip areas and, similar to the front and back panels described above, provide for a snug fit which engages the wearer's body and does not, for example, protrude so far as to hinder the wearer's ability to quickly access firearms or other materials that may be attached somewhere on the wearer's outerwear.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show front 14 and back 15 sides of a sleeveless top element 12 with elements corresponding to those shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-6.

FIGS. 9 through 18 represent different embodiments of a bottom element 50 of the present invention, with FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 representing the front side 52 of the bottom element 50 and FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 representing the back side 54 of the bottom element 50. The base material 55 of bottom element 50 comprises a similar material and/or the same material as the compression fabric described above with regard to base material 17 of top element 12. As represented in FIGS. 9 and 10, leg pockets 56 are provided to receive custom-sized leg protective ballistic panels 58. The panels 58 protect at least the wearer's femoral artery. The pockets 56 can comprise static material similar to that described above in connection with pockets 16, 22 in FIGS. 1-2.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the embodiments of the present invention with protective elements 58 on the front 52 and back 54 sides of the bottom element 50. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the embodiments of the present invention similar to FIGS. 11 and 12, with the same reference elements, and with an additional crotch protective element 60 retained within a suitably-sized pocket 62 therearound.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show further enhanced embodiments of the bottom element 50 of the present invention, with the front side 52 showing hip guards 66 within hip pockets 64, in addition to crotch protective element 60 and leg protective panels 58 as illustrated and described above. Further, FIG. 16 shows tailbone protective element 72 within tailbone pocket 70 and gluteal protective elements 74 within gluteal pockets 76.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show embodiments of the bottom element 50 of the present invention in long pants-like form. Similar reference numbers apply as labeled and described above.

FIGS. 19-22 show additional embodiments of the top element 12 of the present invention. Outer arm internal pockets containing ballistic inserts 80, waistline internal pockets containing ballistic inserts 82 and upper torso under arm pockets containing ballistic inserts 84 are shown therein with respect to a long sleeve embodiment 85 in FIGS. 19-20 and a short sleeve embodiment 88 in FIGS. 21-22.

In operation, a wearer of the present invention may select a previously installed version, where ballistic panels are already selected and sewn in, or where ballistic panels are already inserted into the top and bottom elements of the present invention. The selection can be made according to the wearer's size (e.g., small, medium and large). Alternatively, the wearer may select the top and bottom elements without any ballistic panels installed, put on the top and bottom elements, and then install appropriate ballistic elements in the available pockets as desired for an anticipated engagement. It will be appreciated that the pockets can be openable and sealable using hook and loop type fasteners, or other appropriate fasteners to enable quick assembly and dis-assembly. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a protective clothing system with a standardized set of pockets which may or may not be fully employed for a given engagement, but which do not reduce the ergonomic design and comfortable fit, regardless of whether the pockets are filled with suitable ballistic material.

The ballistic material can comprise, for example, layers of fibers that may comprise a high molecular weight polyethylene material, an aramid fiber, a combination of high performance fibers, or a non-woven thermoplastic composite. Commercially available embodiments of the ballistic material are known as Dyneema™ and Spectrashield™, for example.

The present invention allows for ballistic or other fabric inserts (e.g., as assessed by potential threat) to be sewn into or placed in a pocket or sleeve, for example. The present invention also protects the end user from sand, ballistic fragments, etc., as a secondary layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tops or bottoms in any configuration will cover areas that traditional body armor does not. As such, an end user can wear the top of bottoms of the present invention under their traditional body armor and the tops and bottoms would have extra protection in the areas that the body armor does not cover. Optionally, there may be additional protection for the lower abdominal area, arms, under arms, upper legs, etc.

As such, the present invention can conceal the armor, keep the armor or protection in the correct place, allow it to fit a great range of people, allow for multiple overlap points for extreme comfort, provide interchangeable armor components in order to adjust for size, and allow the tops and bottoms in one size to adjust within the pocket or sleeve so that the same component can permit different thickness inserts to be employed.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, for example, the present invention provides an article 100 of under-clothing, comprising a top element 102 comprising compression fabric material, with the top element 102 having front 104 and back 106 exterior surfaces, and front 108 and back 110 interior surfaces. The article 100 further includes a harness element 112 comprising, for example, a non-compression, static material secured to and extending from the front interior surface 108 to the back interior surface 110 of the top element 102. The top element 102 further includes a neck area 111 forming an opening indicated at 113, left shoulder interior 114 and exterior 116 surfaces, and right shoulder interior 118 and exterior 120 surfaces. The harness element 112 includes a first strap element 122 secured to the right shoulder interior surface 118, and a second strap element 124 secured to the left shoulder interior surface 114.

The first strap element 122 has a first strap length and is secured to the right shoulder interior surface along substantially the entire first strap length. Similarly, the second strap element 124 has a second strap length and is secured to the right shoulder interior surface along substantially the entire second strap length.

The harness element 112 further includes a chest portion 126 secured at least in part to the first 122 and second 124 strap elements and further secured to the front interior surface 108 of the top element 102. As illustrated in FIG. 23 and in the schematic drawing of FIG. 25, the chest portion 126 can be secured by sewing a seam 127 that connects the chest portion 126 to the front interior surface 108 of the top element 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, the chest portion is secured to the front interior surface 108 along the upper perimeter boundary of the chest portion, which is shown along seam 127 in FIG. 23 as a substantially inverted U-shaped seam. Further, the chest portion 126 can comprise a two-ply static fabric element that provides a durable and strong material for the purposes of securely retaining ballistic-resistant material as described hereinafter. In one embodiment of the present invention, the harness element comprises a static material that does not stretch. Such a material can be considered a “jersey mesh” material in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. By not stretching, any armor inserted into the pocket bag portions described herein will not be permitted to bounce around. The bouncing of armor inserts is undesirable because it can reduce effectiveness, comfort and desire for the user to employ armor. The first or back ply 128 of the chest portion 126 is retained against the top element 102 via seam 127, while the second or front ply 129 of the chest portion otherwise hangs freely over a first pocket bag portion 130 provided as part of the harness element 112.

The first pocket bag 130 includes a back ply portion 131 and a front ply portion 132, and can accommodate the insertion or removal of ballistic inserts. In one embodiment of the present invention, the back ply portion 131 of the first pocket bag 130 is integrally formed with the back ply 128 of the chest portion, but is generally not secured to the top element 102 (except optionally at attachment points 145) and hangs freely from the chest portion. The front ply portion 132 similarly hangs freely but is not integrally formed with the front ply portion 129 of the chest portion 126 of the harness element. Rather, the front ply portion 132 of the first pocket bag 130 includes a rim 139 (illustrated by dashed arrow in FIG. 23, and in FIG. 26), and the rim 139 of the front ply portion, as well as the outer side edges 141 and bottom edge 143 of the first pocket bag 130 are generally not secured to the top element 102, except optionally at attachment points 145 shown in FIG. 23, which can correspond to the points of intersection of the rim 139 and outer side edges 141 of the front ply portion 132 of the first pocket bag. As shown in FIG. 26, for example, the front ply 129 of the chest portion 126 can be lifted (e.g., by hand), and the rim 139 and/or front ply 132 of the first pocket bag 130 can be pulled away from the back ply 131 so as to create an opening 133 to insert or remove a ballistic insert 135. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the rim 139 of the front ply portion 132 of the pocket bag 130 can extend above the bottom edge 121 of the front ply 129 of the chest portion 126 when both ply portions 129, 132 are in the rested position, which results in the front ply 129 of the chest portion 126 overlapping the front ply 132 of the pocket bag 130, which can thereby assist in securely retaining the ballistic insert within the open area inside the pocket bag and the chest portion. It will be appreciated that the pocket bag 130 can be a separable component that is not integrated with the chest portion of the harness element 112, but is rather connectable and disconnectable using a zipper-type connection, hook-and-loop type connection or other type of temporary connection.

As further shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the harness element 112 includes a back portion 138 secured to the first 122 and second 124 strap elements and further secured to the back interior surface 110 of the top element 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, the back portion is secured to the strap elements and the interior surface 110 of the top element 102, and the strap elements 122, 124 are secured to the interior surface 110 of the top element 102, such as by sewing a seam 140, for example. The harness element 112 further includes a second pocket bag 142. In one embodiment of the present invention, the back portion 138 and the pocket bag 142 each comprise separate two-ply constructions similar to the chest portion 126 and pocket bag 130, respectively, described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, and similar to the arrangement described above for the front pocket bag 130, the back ply portion of the second pocket bag 142 is integrally formed with the back ply of the back portion 138, but the second pocket bag 142 is generally not secured to the top element 102 (except optionally at attachment points 151 shown in FIG. 23) and hangs freely from the chest portion. The front ply portion of the second pocket bag 142 similarly hangs freely but is not integrally formed with the front ply portion of the back portion 138 of the harness element 112. Rather, the front ply portion of the second pocket bag 142 includes a rim similar to that shown at 139 for first pocket bag 130, and the rim of the front ply and the outer perimeter (including a bottom edge and side edges) of the second pocket bag 142 are generally not secured to the top element 102, except optionally at attachment points 151 shown in FIG. 23, which can correspond to the intersection points of the second pocket bag side edges and the rim of the front ply of the second pocket bag.

One or more ballistic inserts can be inserted into and removed from the second pocket bag 142 and the opening created by the two plies of the back portion 138, similar to the process described and shown in connection with the first pocket bag 130 and chest portion 126 in FIG. 26, for example. It will be appreciated that the pocket bag 142 can be a separable component that is not integrated with the chest portion of the harness element 112, but is rather connectable and disconnectable using a zipper-type connection, hook-and-loop type connection or other type of temporary connection.

As further shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the top element 102 further includes a left side portion 150 comprising left side interior 152 and exterior 154 surfaces, and a right side portion 156 comprising right side interior 158 and exterior 160 surfaces, and further including a front portion 162 comprising the front interior 108 and exterior 104 surfaces. The front portion 162 of the top element 102 is releasably secured to the left side portion 150 using a left side securing element 170 and is further releasably secured to the right side portion 156 using a right side securing element 172. In one embodiment of the present invention, the left side 170 and right side 172 securing elements comprise slide fastener (i.e., Zipper™) elements, allowing the user to zip and unzip the front portion 162 from the side portions 150, 156 to allow easy access to the front pocket element 132 of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the protective clothing system of the present invention thus provides a customizable, scalable, armor-enhanced clothing system that conforms more substantially to the user's body, with a thinner armor profile, and with better protection over every critical body area in different stages as selected by the user. The present invention further provides such an article whereby the top element comprises an outer compression fabric layer with an inner non-compression fabric harness element.

The present disclosure describes numerous embodiments of the present invention, and these embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it will be appreciated that other embodiments may be employed and that structural, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the present invention can be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is thus neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments. 

1. An article of under-clothing, comprising: a top element comprising compression fabric material, with the top element having front and back exterior surfaces, and front and back interior surfaces; and a harness element comprising a static material secured to and extending from the front interior surface to the back interior surface of the top element.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the top element includes a neck portion forming an opening, left shoulder interior and exterior surfaces, and right shoulder interior and exterior surfaces, and wherein the harness element includes a first strap element secured to the right shoulder interior surface, and a second strap element secured to the left shoulder interior surface.
 3. The article of claim 2 wherein the first strap element has a first strap length and is secured to the right shoulder interior surface along substantially the entire first strap length, and further wherein the second strap element has a second strap length and is secured to the right shoulder interior surface along substantially the entire second strap length.
 4. The article of claim 1 wherein the harness element includes a chest portion secured to the first and second strap elements and further secured to the front interior surface of the top element.
 5. The article of claim 4 wherein the harness element further includes a first pocket bag extending from the chest portion, wherein the first pocket bag has side edges and a bottom edge, and wherein at least the bottom edge of the first pocket bag is not secured to the top element.
 6. The article of claim 1 wherein the harness element includes an upper back portion secured to the first and second strap elements and further secured to the back interior surface of the top element.
 7. The article of claim 6 wherein the harness element further includes a second pocket bag secured to the upper back portion, wherein the second pocket bag has side edges and a bottom edge, and wherein at least the bottom edge of the second pocket bag is not secured to the top element.
 8. The article of claim 5, further including a ballistic insert maintained within the first pocket bag.
 9. The article of claim 8, wherein the chest portion comprises a two-ply material secured to the front interior surface so as to form an opening between the two plies, and wherein the ballistic insert is further maintained within the opening between the two plies of the chest portion.
 10. The article of claim 1 wherein the top element further includes a left side portion comprising left side interior and exterior surfaces, and a right side portion comprising right side interior and exterior surfaces, and further including a front portion comprising the front interior and exterior surfaces.
 11. The article of claim 10 wherein the front portion of the top element is releasably secured to the left side portion using a left side securing element and is further releasably secured to the right side portion using a right side securing element.
 12. The article of claim 11 wherein the left side and right side securing elements comprise slide fastener elements.
 13. A method, comprising: providing a top element of an article of under-clothing comprising a compression fabric, with the top element having front and back exterior surfaces, and front and back interior surfaces; and securing a harness element comprising a static material to the top element such that the harness element extends from the front interior surface to the back interior surface of the top element.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the top element includes a neck portion forming an opening, left shoulder interior and exterior surfaces, and right shoulder interior and exterior surfaces, and wherein the harness element includes a first strap element secured to the right shoulder interior surface, and a second strap element secured to the left shoulder interior surface.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the harness element includes a chest portion secured to the first and second strap elements and further secured to the front interior surface of the top element.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the harness element further includes a first pocket bag extending from the chest portion, wherein the first pocket bag has side edges and a bottom edge, and wherein at least the bottom edge of the first pocket bag is not secured to the top element.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the harness element includes an upper back portion secured to the first and second strap elements and further secured to the back interior surface of the top element.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second pocket bag has side edges and a bottom edge, and wherein at least the bottom edge of the second pocket bag is not secured to the top element.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the top element further includes a left side portion comprising left side interior and exterior surfaces, and a right side portion comprising right side interior and exterior surfaces, and further including a front portion comprising the front interior and exterior surfaces.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the front portion of the top element is releasably secured to the left side portion using a left side securing element and is further releasably secured to the right side portion using a right side securing element. 